A tragic incident occurred in Bengaluru's Murphy Town, Ulsoor, early Tuesday morning when a 65-year-old auto-rickshaw driver lost his life following the explosion of an electric scooter battery inside his home. The deceased, identified as Lourd Nathan, was sleeping near the Okinawa electric scooter after plugging it in for charging. The scooter belonged to his elder son, Frank Anthony.
Details of the Incident
According to police, Nathan had stopped driving his autorickshaw due to health issues and was resting at home. Investigations revealed that he switched on the charger around 11 pm and slept in a small room on the ground floor. His son Anthony and daughter-in-law resided on the first floor. Nathan normally turned off the charger after three to four hours. However, around 3 am, the scooter battery allegedly exploded, triggering a fire in the room.
Fire and Rescue Efforts
Hearing the explosion, Anthony and his wife rushed downstairs and managed to douse the fire. The flames damaged household items including a sofa, television, and plastic chairs. Nathan sustained severe burn injuries and was immediately rushed to Bowring Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. An investigating officer confirmed the cause of death.
Police Action
Authorities have registered the case as an unnatural death and are conducting further investigations to determine the exact cause of the battery explosion.
This incident highlights potential risks associated with charging electric vehicles indoors. Experts advise following manufacturer guidelines and using designated charging areas to prevent such accidents.
